Legislative branch: unicameralCongress: elections last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held NA April2000); results - C90/NM 52.1%, UPP 14%, 11 other parties 33.9%;seats - (120 total, when installed on 28 July 1995) C90/NM 67, UPP17, APRA 8, FIM 6, (CODE)-Pais Posible 5, AP 4, PPC 3, Renovacion 3,IU 2, OBRAS 2, MIA 1, FRENATRACA 1, FREPAP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema deJusticia), judges are appointed by the National Council of theJudiciary
Political parties and leaders: Change 90-New Majority (C90/NM),Alberto FUJIMORI; Union for Peru (UPP), Javier PEREZ de CUELLAR;American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA), Agustin MANTILLACampos; Independent Moralizing Front (FIM), Fernando OLIVERA Vega;Democratic Coordinator (CODE) - Pais Posible, Jose BARBA Caballeroand Alejandro TOLEDO; Popular Action Party (AP), Raul DIEZ CANSECO;Popular Christian Party (PPC), Luis BEDOYA Reyes; Renovacion, RafaelREY Rey; Civic Works Movement (OBRAS), Ricardo BELMONT; United Left(IU), Agustin HAYA de la TORRE; Independent Agrarian Movement (MIA),Rolando SALVATERRIE; Peru 2000-National Front of Workers andPeasants (FRENATRACA), Roger CACARES; Popular Agricultural Front(FREPAP), Ezequiel ATAUCUSI
Other political or pressure groups: leftist guerrilla groupsinclude Shining Path, Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned); TupacAmaru Revolutionary Movement, Nestor SERPA and Victor POLAY(imprisoned)
International organization participation: AG, CCC, ECLAC, FAO,G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ricardo V. LUNA MENDOZAchancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, NewYork, Paterson (New Jersey), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Alvin P. ADAMS, Jr.embassy: Avenida Encalada, Cuadra 17, Monterrico, Limamailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),APO AA 34031telephone: [51] (12) 21-1202FAX: [51] (12) 21-3543
Flag: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a llama, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The Peruvian economy has become increasingly market-oriented, with major privatizations completed since 1990 in the mining, electricity, and telecommunications industries. In the 1980s, the economy suffered from hyperinflation, declining per capita output, and mounting external debt. Peru was shut off from IMF and World Bank support in the mid-1980s because of its huge debt arrears. An austerity program implemented shortly after the FUJIMORI government took office in July 1990 contributed to a third consecutive yearly contraction of economic activity, but the slide came to a halt late that year, and in 1991 output rose 2.4%. After a burst of inflation as the austerity program eliminated government price subsidies, monthly price increases eased to the single-digit level and by December 1991 dropped to the lowest increase since mid-1987. Lima obtained a financial rescue package from multilateral lenders in September 1991, although it faced $14 billion in arrears on its external debt. By working with the IMF and World Bank on new financial conditions and arrangements, the government succeeded in ending its arrears by March 1993. In 1992, GDP fell by 2.8%, in part because a warmer-than-usual El Nino current resulted in a 30% drop in the fish catch, but the economy rebounded as strong foreign investment helped push growth to 6% in 1993, about 13% in 1994, and 6.8% in 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $87 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.2% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 8 million (1992) by occupation: agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services
Unemployment rate: 15%; extensive underemployment (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $8.5 billionexpenditures: $9.3 billion including capital expenditures of $NA(1996 est.)
Industries: mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 4,190,000 kW production: 11.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 448 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains, coca; poultry, red meats, dairy products, wool; fish catch of 6.9 million metric tons (1990)
Illicit drugs: world's largest coca leaf producer with about 115,300 hectares under cultivation in 1995; source of supply for most of the world's coca paste and cocaine base; at least 85% of coca cultivation is for illicit production; most of cocaine base is shipped to Colombian drug dealers for processing into cocaine for the international drug market, but exports of finished cocaine are increasing
Exports: $5.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: copper, zinc, fishmeal, crude petroleum and byproducts,lead, refined silver, coffee, cottonpartners: US 19%, Japan 9%, Italy, Germany
Imports: $7.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum,iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticalspartners: US 21%, Colombia, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Brazil
External debt: $22.4 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $363 million (1993)
Currency: 1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: nuevo sol (S/.) per US$1 - 2.350 (January 1996), 2.253 (1995), 2.195 (1994), 1.988 (1993), 1.246 (1992), 0.773 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 2,041 kmstandard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 315 km 0.914-m gauge (1994)
Highways:total: 69,942 kmpaved: 13,538 kmunpaved: 56,404 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and208 km of Lago Titicaca
Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; natural gas and natural gas liquids64 km
Ports: Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado,Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguasnote: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reachesof the Amazon and its tributaries
Merchant marine:total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 77,584 GRT/144,030 DWTships by type: bulk 2, cargo 7 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 230with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6with paved runways under 914 m: 96with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 22with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 71 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 779,306 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: adequate for most requirements domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 273, FM 0, shortwave 144
Radios: 5.7 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 140
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra delPeru; includes Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force(Fuerza Aerea del Peru), National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 6,441,513 males fit for military service: 4,347,460 males reach military age (20) annually: 255,067 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $998 million, 1.6% of GDP (1996)
======================================================================
@Philippines —————-
Map —-
Location: 13 00 N, 122 00 E — Southeastern Asia, archipelagobetween the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Flag ——
Description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star
Geography ————-
Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the PhilippineSea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 300,000 sq kmland area: 298,170 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 36,289 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth
International disputes: involved in a complex dispute over theSpratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possiblyBrunei; claims Malaysian state of Sabah
Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April);southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver,gold, salt, copper
Land use:arable land: 26%permanent crops: 11%meadows and pastures: 4%forest and woodland: 40%other: 19%
Irrigated land: 16,200 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soilerosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution ofcoastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding groundsnatural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 andstruck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides, activevolcanoes, destructive earthquakes, tsunamisinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, TropicalTimber 94
People ———
Population: 74,480,848 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 38% (male 14,486,214; female 14,026,873)15-64 years: 58% (male 21,403,784; female 21,968,259)65 years and over: 4% (male 1,165,810; female 1,429,908) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 2.18% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 29.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 35.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.91 years male: 63.14 years female: 68.83 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine
Ethnic divisions: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese1.5%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhistand other 3%
Languages: Pilipino (official, based on Tagalog), English(official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 94.6%male: 95%female: 94.3%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of the Philippinesconventional short form: Philippineslocal long form: Republika ng Pilipinaslocal short form: Pilipinas
Data code: RP
Type of government: republic
Capital: Manila
Administrative divisions: 72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*;Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*,Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, BasilanCity*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol,Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan deOro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu,Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City*Davao, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, EasternSamar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte,Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao,La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*,Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao,Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental,Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain,Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, NorthernSamar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*,Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*,Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon,Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (inPangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon,South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*,Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*,Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*,Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur
Independence: 4 July 1946 (from US)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898) (from Spain)
Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Fidel Valdes RAMOS(since 30 June 1992) and Vice President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA(since 30 June 1992) were elected for six-year terms by popularvote; election last held 11 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1998);results - Fidel Valdes RAMOS won 23.6% of the vote, a narrowpluralitycabinet: Executive Secretary was appointed by the president with theconsent of the Commission of Appointments
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Kongreso) Senate (Senado): elections last held 8 May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (24 total) LDP 14, Lakas/NUCD 5, NPC 2, LP 1, PRP 1, independent 1 House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan): elections last held 8 May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (204 total) Lakas/NUCD 129, LDP 29, NPC (opposition) 25, LP 6, PDP 3, KBL/NPC 1, results pending 11
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president on recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Filipino Struggle (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, LDP), Edgardo ANGARA; People Power-National Union of Christian Democrats (Lakas ng EDSA-NUCD or Lakas-NUCD); Raul MANGLAPUS, president and Jose DE VENECIA, secretary general; Liberal Party (LP), Raul DAZA; National People's Coalition (NPC), Eduardo COJUANGCO; People's Reform Party (PRP), Miriam DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO; New Society Movement (Kilusan Bagong Lipunan, KBL), Imelda MARCOS; Nacionalista Party (NP), Salvador H. LAUREL, president; Filipino Democratic Party (Partido Demokratikong Philipinas or PDP), Jose COJUANGCO, is part of the ruling coalition with the LDP
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNMIH, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Raul Chaves RABE chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614 consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle consulate(s): San Diego and San Jose (Saipan)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Thomas C. HUBBARD embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila 1000 mailing address: APO AP 96440 telephone: [63] (2) 521-71-16 FAX: [63] (2) 522-43-61
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The Philippine economy, primarily a mixture of agriculture and light industry, continued its third year of recovery in 1995, led by growth in exports and investments. Officials have targeted 5%-6% growth for 1996 after achieving 4.8% growth in 1995. The government is continuing its economic reforms to enable the Philippines to move closer to the development of the newly industrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includes improving infrastructure and plans to overhaul the tax system to bolster government revenues.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $179.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.8% (1995)
GDP per capita: $2,530 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 30% services: 48%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (1995)
Labor force: 24.12 million by occupation: agriculture 46%, industry and commerce 16%, services 18.5%, government 10%, other 9.5% (1989)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $14.1 billionexpenditures: $13.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995)
Industries: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products,food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (1993)
Electricity: capacity: 6,770,000 kW production: 20.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 278 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish catch of 2 million metric tons annually
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; growers are producing more and better quality cannabis despite government eradication efforts; transit point for Southwest Asian and Golden Triangle heroin bound for the US
Exports: $17.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: electronics, textiles, coconut products, copper, fish partners: US 39%, Japan 15%, Germany 5%, Hong Kong 5%, UK 5% (1994)
Imports: $26.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995)commodities: raw materials 40%, capital goods 25%, petroleumproducts 10%partners: Japan 24%, US 18%, Singapore 7%, Taiwan 6%, South Korea 5%(1994)
External debt: $41 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $934 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Philippine pesos (P) per US$1 - 26.206 (December 1995), 25.714 (1995), 26.417 (1994), 27.120 (1993), 25.512 (1992), 27.479 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 499 km narrow gauge: 499 km 1.067-m gauge (1993)
Highways: total: 160,633 km paved: 22,489 km unpaved: 138,144 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vessels
Pipelines: petroleum products 357 km
Ports: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island,Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, SanFernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga
Merchant marine:total: 535 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,033,849GRT/13,101,188 DWTships by type: bulk 230, cargo 126, chemical tanker 3, combinationbulk 11, container 12, liquefied gas tanker 9, livestock carrier 12,oil tanker 44, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 12, refrigerated cargo19, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 18, vehiclecarrier 25note: a flag of convenience registry; Japan owns 22 ships, Hong Kong4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Denmark 1, and UK 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 235with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 25with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 31with paved runways under 914 m: 104with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 63 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 887,229 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations international: submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 261, FM 55, shortwave 0
Radios: 9.03 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 7 million (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), AirForce
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 18,722,509 males fit for military service: 13,221,513 males reach military age (20) annually: 767,056 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 1.4% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Pitcairn Islands ————————
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map —-
Location: 25 04 S, 130 06 W — Oceania, islands in the SouthPacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand
Flag ——
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, aboutone-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 06 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 47 sq kmland area: 47 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 51 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)
Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
Natural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%meadows and pastures: NA%forest and woodland: NA%other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: deforestation (only a small portion of the originalforest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement)natural hazards: typhoons (especially November to March)international agreements: NA
People ———
Population: 56 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutineers
Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages: English (official), Tahitian/English dialect
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islandsconventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
Data code: PC
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Adamstown
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (secondSaturday in June)
Constitution: Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Legal system: local island by-laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6February 1952) is a hereditary monarch, represented by UK HighCommissioner to New Zealand and Governor (non-resident) of thePitcairn Islands Robert John ALSTON (since NA August 1994);Commissioner (non-resident) G. D. HARRAWAY (since NA; is the liaisonperson between the governor and the Island Council)head of government: Island Magistrate and Chairman of the IslandCouncil Jay WARREN (since NA); the island magistrate is electedevery three years
Legislative branch: unicameral Island Council: elections take place each December; election last held NA December 1995 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (11 total, 5 elected) all independents
Judicial branch: Island Court, island magistrate presides over the court and is elected every three years
Political parties and leaders: none
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: SPC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of theUK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The inhabitants exist on fishing and subsistence farming. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 14 able-bodied men (1993) by occupation: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $588,000expenditures: $583,000, including capital expenditures of $NA(1993/94 est.)
Industries: postage stamps, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 110 kW production: 300,000 kWh consumption per capita: 5,360 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: wide variety of fruits and vegetables
Exports: $NAcommodities: fruits, vegetables, curiospartners: NA
Imports: $NAcommodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar,other foodstuffspartners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA bilateral commitments (1992-93), $84,000
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138 (January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 6.4 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 6.4 km
Ports: Bounty Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports: none
Communications ———————
Telephones: 24
Telephone system: party line telephone service on the islanddomestic: NAinternational: radiotelephone
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Poland ———
Map —-
Location: 52 00 N, 20 00 E — Central Europe, east of Germany
Flag ——
Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
Geography ————-
Location: Central Europe, east of Germany
Geographic coordinates: 52 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 312,683 sq kmland area: 304,510 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than New Mexico
Land boundaries:total: 2,888 kmborder countries: Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia444 km, Ukraine 428 km
Coastline: 491 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: defined by international treatiesterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winterswith frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers andthundershowers
Terrain: mostly flat plain; mountains along southern borderlowest point: Raczki Elblaskie -2 mhighest point: Rysy 2,499 m
Natural resources: coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver,lead, salt
Land use:arable land: 48%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 13%forest and woodland: 29%other: 10% (1992)
Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: situation has improved since 1989 due to decline inheavy industry and increased environmental concern by postcommunistgovernments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because ofsulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and theresulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution fromindustrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposalof hazardous wastesnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity,Law of the Sea
Geographic note: historically, an area of conflict because of flatterrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
People ———
Population: 38,642,565 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22% (male 4,399,649; female 4,188,824)15-64 years: 66% (male 12,754,272; female 12,930,275)65 years and over: 12% (male 1,654,526; female 2,715,019) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.14% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.92 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.08 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.1 years male: 68.02 years female: 76.41 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Pole(s) adjective: Polish
Ethnic divisions: Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%,Byelorussian 0.5% (1990 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), EasternOrthodox, Protestant, and other 5%
Languages: Polish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1978 est.)total population: 99%male: 99%female: 98%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Polandconventional short form: Polandlocal long form: Rzeczpospolita Polskalocal short form: Polska
Data code: PL
Type of government: democratic state
Capital: Warsaw
Administrative divisions: 49 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular -wojewodztwo); Biala Podlaska, Bialystok, Bielsko Biala, Bydgoszcz,Chelm, Ciechanow, Czestochowa, Elblag, Gdansk, Gorzow, Jelenia Gora,Kalisz, Katowice, Kielce, Konin, Koszalin, Krakow, Krosno, Legnica,Leszno, Lodz, Lomza, Lublin, Nowy Sacz, Olsztyn, Opole, Ostroleka,Pila, Piotrkow, Plock, Poznan, Przemysl, Radom, Rzeszow, Siedlce,Sieradz, Skierniewice, Slupsk, Suwalki, Szczecin, Tarnobrzeg,Tarnow, Torun, Walbrzych, Warszawa, Wloclawek, Wroclaw, Zamosc,Zielona Gora
Independence: 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
Constitution: interim "small constitution" came into effect inDecember 1992 replacing the communist-imposed constitution of 22July 1952; new democratic constitution being drafted
Legal system: mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December1995) was elected for a five-year term by popular vote; electionfirst round held 5 November 1995, second round held 19 November 1995(next to be held NA November 2000); results - second roundAleksander KWASNIEWSKI 51.7%, Lech WALESA 48.3%head of government: Prime Minister Wlodimierz CIMOSZEWICZ (since 7February 1996), Deputy Prime Ministers Roman JAGIELINSKI (since NA),Grzegorz KOLODKO (since NA), and Miroslaw PIETRIEWICZ (since NA)were appointed by the Sejmcabinet: Council of Ministers is responsible to the president andthe Sejm; the prime minister appointed and the Sejm approved theCouncil of Ministers
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (ZgromadzenieNarodowe) post-communist parties (PSL 34, SLD 37), post-Solidarityparties (UW 6, NSZZ 12, BBWR 2), non-communist, non-Solidarity(independents 7, unaffiliated 1, vacant 1) post-communist parties(SLD 171, PSL 132), post-Solidarity parties (UW 74, UP 41, BBWR 16),non-communist, non-Solidarity (KPN 22)note: four seats are constitutionally assigned to ethnic GermanpartiesSejm: elections last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held nolater than 19 September 1997); results - percent of vote by partyNA; seats - (460 total)Senate (Senat): elections last held 19 September 1993 (next to beheld no later than 19 September 1997); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (100 total)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by thepresident on the recommendation of the National Council of Judiciary
Political parties and leaders:post-Communist: Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) (Social Democracy ofPoland), Jozef OLEKSY; Polish Peasant Party (PSL), Waldemar PAWLAKpost-Solidarity parties: Freedom Union (UW; Democratic Union andLiberal Democratic Congress merged to form Freedom Union), LeszekBALCEROWICZ; Christian-National Union (ZCHN), Marian PILKA; CenterAlliance Party (PC), Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI; Peasant Alliance (PL),Gabriel JANOWSKI; Solidarity Caucus (NSZZ), Marian KRZAKLEWSKI;Union of Labor (UP), Ryszard BUGAJ; Christian-Democratic Party(PCHD), Pawel LACZKOWSKI; Conservative Party, Aleksander HALL;Nonparty Reform Bloc (BBWR)non-Communist non-Solidarity: Confederation for an IndependentPoland (KPN), Leszek MOCZULSKI; German Minority (MN), Georg PORYLKA;Union of Real Politics (UPR), Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE; Democratic Party(SD), Antoni MACKIEWICZ
Other political or pressure groups: powerful Roman CatholicChurch; Solidarity (trade union); All Poland Trade Union Alliance(OPZZ), trade union
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU(applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,MINURSO, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM,UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU (associatepartner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jerzy KOZMINSKI chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802 FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas Andrew REYembassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, Warsawmailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, Unit 1340, APO AE09213-1340telephone: [48] (2) 628-30-41FAX: [48] (2) 628-82-98consulate(s) general: Krakow
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similarto the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
Economy ———-
Economic overview: In 1995, Poland continued to make good progress in the difficult transition to a market economy that began on 1 January 1990, when the new democratic government instituted "shock therapy" by decontrolling prices, slashing subsidies, and drastically reducing import barriers. Although real GDP fell sharply in 1990 and 1991, in 1992 Poland became the first country in the region to resume economic growth with a 2.6% increase. Growth advanced to 3.8% in 1993, 5.2% in 1994, and 6.5% in 1995. Most of the growth since 1991 had come from the booming private sector, which now accounts for about 60% of GDP, due in large part to the creation of new private firms. The slow pace of privatization picked up somewhat in 1995, as 512 smaller state enterprises were transferred to private National Investment Funds under the Mass Privatization Program, but large-scale industry remains largely in state hands. Industrial production increased 10.2% in 1995, following a 13.2% rise in 1994, yet remains about 13% below the 1989 level. Inflation, which had approached 1,200% annually in early 1990, fell to 21.6% in December 1995, as the government held the 1995 budget deficit to less than 3% of GDP. After peaking at 16.9% in July 1994, unemployment gradually fell to 14.9% in December 1995 - although the rate still approaches 30% in some regions. The trade and current account balances officially are in deficit but in fact both have comfortable surpluses because of large, unrecorded sales to cross-border visitors. Prospects for 1996 are good, with the government promising to push privatization and social welfare reform. Economic growth should remain above 5%, with inflation dropping below 20% by yearend 1996 and unemployment continuing its slow decline. As for external debt, the burden was sharply reduced by reschedulings and write-offs of both private and official debt during 1991-94.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $226.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 38% services: 55% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21.6% (December 1995)
Labor force: 17.743 million (1994 annual average) by occupation: industry and construction 32.0%, agriculture 27.6%, trade, transport, and communications 14.7%, government and other 25.7% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 14.9% (December 1995)
Budget:revenues: $34.5 billionexpenditures: $37.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Industries: machine building, iron and steel, coal mining,chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 10.2% (1995)
Electricity: capacity: 31,120,000 kW production: 133.7 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,000 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: potatoes, milk, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry and eggs; pork, beef
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium for domestic consumption and amphetamines for the international market; transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe; producer of precursor chemicals
Exports: $22.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: intermediate goods 27.5%, machinery and transportequipment 19.8%, miscellaneous manufactures 20.5%, foodstuffs 11.6%,fuels 9.1% (1994)partners: Germany 35.7%, Netherlands 5.9%, Russia 5.4%, Italy 4.9%(1994)
Imports: $23.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)commodities: machinery and transport equipment 28.9%, intermediategoods 20.2%, chemicals 14.7%, fuels 10.4%, miscellaneousmanufactures 9.9%partners: Germany 27.5%, Italy 8.4%, Russia 6.8%, UK 5.3% (1994)
External debt: $42.1 billion (yearend 1995 est.)
Economic aid:recipient: Western governments and institutions pledged $22 billionin grants and loans during 1990-94, but much of the money has notbeen disbursed
Currency: 1 zloty (Zl) = 100 groszy
Exchange rates: zlotych (Zl) per US$1 - 2.55 (January 1996) 2.4250 (1995); note - a currency reform on 1 January 1995 replaced 10,000 old zlotys with 1 new zloty; 22,723 (1994), 18,115 (1993), 13,626 (1992), 10,576 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 25,166 kmbroad gauge: 656 km 1.520-m gaugestandard gauge: 22,655 km 1.435-m gauge (11,496 km electrified;8,978 km double track)narrow gauge: 1,855 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m,0.750-m, and 0.600-m (1995)
Highways:total: 367,000 km (excluding farm, factory, and forest roads)paved: 235,247 km (including 257 km of expressways)unpaved: 131,753 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 3,997 km navigable rivers and canals (1991)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,986 km; petroleum products 360 km; naturalgas 4,600 km (1992)
Ports: Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie,Ustka, Warsaw, Wrocaw
Merchant marine:total: 131 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,093,491GRT/3,167,660 DWTships by type: bulk 73, cargo 36, chemical tanker 4, container 7,oil tanker 1, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-seapassenger 5note: Poland owns an additional 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over)totaling 179,913 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas,Liberia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Vanuatu, and Cyprus (1995est.)
Airports:total: 134with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 30with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 27with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 7with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32with unpaved runways under 914 m: 18 (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 5 million (1994)
Telephone system: underdeveloped and outmoded system; government aims to have 10 million phones in service by the year 2000 domestic: cable, open wire, and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - NA Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions), and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 27, shortwave 0
Radios: 10.9 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 40 (Russian repeaters 5)
Televisions: 9.6 million
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 10,267,551 males fit for military service: 7,994,460 males reach military age (19) annually: 324,960 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, 2.4% of GDP (1995)
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@Portugal ————
Map —-
Location: 39 30 N, 8 00 W — Southwestern Europe, bordering theNorth Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Flag ——
Description: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line
Geography ————-
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,west of Spain
Geographic coordinates: 39 30 N, 8 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 92,080 sq kmland area: 91,640 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Indiananote: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Land boundaries: total: 1,214 km border country: Spain 1,214 km
Coastline: 1,793 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East TimorProvince) disputed with Indonesia and not recognized by the UN
Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer anddrier in south
Terrain: mountainous north of the Tagus, rolling plains in south lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Ponta do Pico in Azores 2,351 m
Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore,uranium ore, marble
Land use:arable land: 32%permanent crops: 6%meadows and pastures: 6%forest and woodland: 40%other: 16%
Irrigated land: 6,340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial andvehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areasnatural hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakesinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity,Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, MarineDumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Desertification,Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategiclocations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
People ———
Population: 9,865,114 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18% (male 888,157; female 843,309)15-64 years: 68% (male 3,249,973; female 3,414,793)65 years and over: 14% (male 601,913; female 866,969) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.02% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 10.53 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.92 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.31 years male: 71.52 years female: 79.31 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.36 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)adjective: Portuguese
Ethnic divisions: homogeneous Mediterranean stock in mainland,Azores, Madeira Islands; citizens of black African descent whoimmigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant denominations 1%, other2%
Languages: Portuguese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population: 85%male: 89%female: 82%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Portuguese Republicconventional short form: Portugallocal long form: Republica Portuguesalocal short form: Portugal
Data code: PO
Type of government: republic
Capital: Lisbon
Administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Dependent areas: Macau (scheduled to become a SpecialAdministrative Region of China on 20 December 1999)
Independence: 1140 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910)
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Constitution: 25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982 and 1 June 1989
Legal system: civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996) waselected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election lastheld 14 January 1996 (next to be held NA January 2001); results -Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 53.8%, Anibal CAVACO SILVA (Conservative)46.2%head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Manuel de OlivieraGUTERRES (since 28 October 1995) was appointed by the presidentfollowing the October 1995 legislative electionsCouncil of State: acts as a consultative body to the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president onrecommendation of the prime minister